Coyotes Look To Bounce Back Against Jets
The Arizona Coyotes continue their six game home stand on Thursday night against the visiting Winnipeg Jets.
Arizona is looking to get back on track after a tough 6-0 loss against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Goaltender Mike Smith made 33 saves of the 39 shots that were fired at him. According their official Twitter site, Mike Smith will be in goal for his third consecutive game.
Martin Hanzal, who was scratched on Tuesday night, is likely to miss tonight’s game as well. Along with Hanzal, Zbynek Michalek will miss his first contest of the season, according to the Arizona’s Twitter site.
After having been shutout, Arizona (15-20-4) will be looking to their captain, Shane Doan, and line mate Antoine Vermette to help them offensively. Doan and Vermette have both been held pointless for the last three games.
Jan 6, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) attempts to deflect a shot past St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Like the Coyotes, the Jets are also coming off a defeat. Winnipeg lost a 3-2 heart breaker in the final seconds of regulation against the San Jose Sharks on Monday.
More from Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes: Slumping Strome Shipped to Chicago
- Arizona Coyotes: How Coach Rick Tocchet Sparked His Offense
- Arizona Coyotes: 3 Keys to Win Over Blue Jackets
- Arizona Coyotes: 3 Takeaways From Saturday’s Loss in Winnipeg
- Arizona Coyotes: Dvorak Out Indefinitely After Surgery
Winnipeg (20-13-7) is fighting for playoff position and is currently in possession of the second wild card position, despite numerous injuries to their defensemen. Due to these injuries, the Jets have depended heavily on Dustin Byfuglien to fulfill defensive responsibilities.
Along with their defensive core being heavily depleted, the Jets will also be without forward Evander Kane due to a lower body injury.
Winnipeg’s first line of Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, and Blake Wheeler have been on fire as of late. Little has a seven game point streak, Wheeler has a six game point streak and Ladd has scored three goals in his last three contests.
Winnipeg defeated Arizona 6-2 in their season opener in Glendale in October. Wheeler and Little each had two goals against tonight’s starting goaltender, Mike Smith.
Both the Coyotes and Jets are looking to play a more disciplined game as both teams afforded their most recent opponents plenty of time on the man advantage. Arizona only killed off two of their five penalties on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Winnipeg went on the penalty kill seven separate times on Monday.
The puck will drop for the Coyotes and Jets at 7:00 p.m. MST in Glendale, Ariz.